The latest Scottish Government housing statistics tell a clear story: need is rising, delivery is falling short, and the pressure on households and services continues to grow.

The data is consistent and the trends are clear; we are not building enough of the homes people need. The consequences are becoming more severe with each passing year as demand accelerates and supply falls short.

Behind this sits a growing human cost. Nearly 70,000 households are currently living in situations of acute housing need. Homelessness is rising, more families are trapped in temporary accommodation and increasing numbers of people are living in homes that are unsuitable or unaffordable.

Evidence developed by CIH Scotland, Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) last year provides a clear benchmark against which to measure progress. Scotland needs at least 15,693 affordable homes each year between 2026 and 2031 – a near 50% increase on previous estimates. This is not an aspirational target, but a minimum requirement grounded in robust modelling of homelessness, affordability pressures and demographic change. The latest figures released yesterday highlight current delivery is falling significantly short of what is needed.

The solution is achingly obvious. We need to build more homes. Housing associations, local authorities and partners are ready to play their part, but they cannot do so in a vacuum. They rely on strong political leadership to provide direction, unlock barriers, and coordinate action across government.

At a practical level, the sector needs clarity, consistency and long-term commitment. Delivering the homes Scotland needs will not only require public investment over the next parliament, but a credible delivery plan and stable policy environment.

At a moment like this, leadership matters more than ever. That is why the decision to merge housing with the social justice cabinet secretary portfolio – with no dedicated housing minister – is deeply disappointing. It risks sending a message that housing is no longer a central political priority at precisely the time it should be at the heart of government.

The scale of Scotland’s housing challenge means this should not be treated as just another policy portfolio. Housing is foundational. It underpins health, education, economic growth and social justice.

When housing fails, the consequences are felt across every part of society – increased pressure on the NHS, poorer outcomes for children, rising costs in homelessness services, and widening inequality. 

That is why previous governments placed housing at cabinet level. Not simply because of the number of homes to be built, but because of the central role housing plays in delivering wider national outcomes.

Scotland has now reached a point where short-term measures and incremental change are no longer sufficient. The shared recognition of this – across government and local authorities alike – must now translate into sustained action.

That means moving beyond annual budget cycles and short-term interventions, and instead committing to long-term, predictable investment. It means strengthening delivery capacity across the sector. It means ensuring that housing policy remains firmly rooted in evidence.

The evidence is clear. The need is urgent. CIH Scotland is calling on the government to deliver the political focus and will – through sustained investment and coordinated action – to ensure everyone in Scotland has a safe, decent and affordable home.